Monday, January 23, 2012

1910 Fruitgum Company - Voice Your Choice

The 1910 Fruitgum Co. were at the forefront of the "bubblegum movement". I say that with tongue firmly planted in cheek; however they were among the first bubblegum groups to score big on the charts.

The core of the group was lead singer Mark Gutkowski from New Jersey. Their producers Jerry Kasenetz and Jeff Katz, used the original line-up of Floyd Marcus, Pat Karwan, Steve Mortkowitz and Frank Jeckell, and of course, Mark Gutkowski, on their first two singles, Simon Says and May I Take A Giant Step (Into Your Heart). All of their additional hits were played by a revolving door of various studio musicians.

As a side note, that same production team also had their own hit with Quick Joey Small (Run Joey Run) under the name of Kasenetz-Katz Singing Orchestral Circus in 1968.

This week on Treasure Island Oldies, Voice Your Choice presents 1910 Fruitgum Co. with two of their hit records for your votes this week, 1 2 3 Red Light and Simon Says. Which song do you want to hear? Chew it over then cast your vote at the Voice Your Choice page. We'll pop the bubble on the winning song in the 3rd hour of next week's show.